Android Wear Update Comes With Speakers

Android Wear will be getting an update in the coming weeks that will give compatible devices new features. However, perhaps even more interesting, is that the new update will activate dormant speakers in some select Android Wear gadgets.

Although some gestures are currently available, Google has extended the capabilities of Android Wear by adding new ways for users to navigate devices. Previously you could use gestures to explore cards by flicking the wrist, now users will also be able to extend those same cards by lifting or shaking their Android Wear gadget.

Android Wear will now also support sending messages via voice using an extended collection of supported applications. In any case, what will be most exciting for some, is that the new update will awaken the dormant speakers found in the Huawei Watch and the ASUS ZenWatch 2, allowing for calls and other sound related features.

A detailed outline of features is listed below:

Navigate your watch with new gestures. Scrolling up and down your card stream is as simple as flicking your wrist. Beginning today you can also expand a card, bring up your applications, or return home to your watch face with a push, lift or shake. You’ll be able to stay connected to what’s important, while keeping your telephone (or other hand) in your pocket.

Send more messages with simply your voice. With Android Wear, you’ve always been able to get answers to spoken questions. Presently you can also use your voice to send messages from applications such as Google Hangouts, Nextplus, Telegram, Viber, WeChat, and WhatsApp. Running late for lunch? Simply say “OK Google, Send a WhatsApp message to Nathan: I’ll be there right there.”

Make calls and listen to messages with speaker support. Screening calls from your wrist is a nice comfort that comes with Android Wear. Thanks to speaker support, you can now make and take calls over Bluetooth. And you can listen to audio/video messages with applications such as Glide. Everything you need is a watch with a speaker, which today includes the Huawei Watch and the ASUS ZenWatch 2 (49mm).

The update will be taking off in the coming weeks to all Android Wear gadgets. The speaker update will only be available for the Huawei Watch and Asus ZenWatch 2.